US News / Hindu temple attacked in New York, India expressed strong objection

The BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, New York, USA has been targeted by anti-social elements. Objectionable words were painted on the walls and signs of the temple. The Indian Consulate has condemned the incident and appealed for immediate action against the culprits.

Vikrant Shekhawat : Sep 17, 2024, 08:40 AM

US News: The BAPS Swaminarayan Temple located in the Melville area of New York has once again fallen prey to anti-social elements. Recently, reports of an attack on this Hindu temple have surfaced, in which objectionable words have been written with spray paint on the road and symbols outside the temple. This incident has put the Indian community and the Government of India in deep concern.

Full details of the incident

In the footage that surfaced on social media, it can be seen that the road outside the BAPS Swaminarayan Temple and the symbols of the temple have been written with spray paint with objectionable words. The Hindu American Foundation has considered this incident extremely serious and has demanded a quick and effective investigation from the US Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security.

Reaction of the Indian Embassy

The Indian Consulate in New York has strongly condemned this attack and termed it completely unacceptable. The embassy informed about the incident by posting on its official Twitter handle X and said that defacing the indicator board near the temple is a heinous crime. The embassy has sought prompt action from law enforcement agencies and assured that they are in touch with the local community and that strict action will be taken against the culprits.

Prime Minister Modi's program

Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning that Melville is located in Suffolk County, Long Island, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address a community event on September 22 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, about 28 km from here. This incident has further increased the importance of Prime Minister Modi's upcoming program, as it is important to ensure that the Indian community of New York feels safe and their religious places are kept safe.

This incident has once again brought to the fore the questions raised on the security of the Indian community in New York. Now it remains to be seen how quickly and effectively the US administration takes action on this issue and what steps are taken in future regarding the security of Hindu temples and religious places.